You need a license to transport passengers commercially by taxi. You can apply for one at the relevant transport authority in your city or county.

• The security and performance of the business is guaranteed.
• There are no facts to suggest that the applicant is unreliable as an entrepreneur or that the person appointed to manage the business is unreliable.
• The applicant as an entrepreneur or the person appointed to manage the business is professionally qualified.
• The applicant and the entrepreneurs commissioned by them to provide transport services have their place of business or branch office within the meaning of commercial law in Germany.

New applicants and existing entrepreneurs must be given appropriate consideration. Within the two groups, consideration is given in the order in which the applications are submitted.

Regardless of the application, the following will be given lower priority

• those who do not intend to operate the taxi business as their main occupation,
• has not operated his or her taxi company as his or her main occupation or has sold or leased it in whole or in part within the last 8 years,
• has not properly fulfilled his or her operating obligations

An applicant may only be granted one license at a time, unless more licenses can be granted than there are applicants. New

applicants will receive their license for 2 years. During this period, the rights and obligations arising from the license may not be transferred. In

the case of legal entities under public law, the requirements are deemed to be met.

To obtain a license for the commercial transport of passengers by taxi, proceed as follows:

• Submit an application to the relevant transport authority in your city or district and enclose all the necessary documents with your application.
• The authority will process your application and carry out the necessary consultation procedures.
• You will receive a notification regarding the granting or renewal of a taxi license, including the delivery of the license documents.

• Appeal. Further information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in the decision on your application.
• Action before the administrative court after an appeal has been unsuccessful.

Deadlines only begin to run once a decision-ready application has been submitted. Once your application is complete, a decision will be made within three months. The deadline can be extended by three months if necessary. The general administrative procedural appeal period is one month.

The processing time may vary between the relevant transport authorities. The processing time may depend, among other things, on whether all documents relevant to the decision have been submitted or whether additional documents are required.

The transport authority of the respective independent city or district is responsible.

• Formal application (surname, first name of the applicant; place of residence and business; for natural persons: date of birth, place of birth; number of vehicles, vehicle type, capacity of the vehicles to be used)
• Certificates of service or examination certificates (for professional competence) of the applicant or the person appointed to manage the business
• Equity capital certificate/additional certificate (form in accordance with Section 2 (2) No. 2/Section 2 (3) of the Professional Access Regulation for Road Passenger Transport PBZugV), not older than 12 months
• Certificate of good standing from the tax office, the municipality, the social security institution, and the employers' liability insurance association, not older than 3 months (from the company, the legal representative, and the person appointed to manage the business / transport management)
• Certificate of good conduct for submission to the authorities in accordance with Section 30 (5) BZRG
• Extract from the Central Trade Register in accordance with Section 150 (5) GewO (for companies)
• Extract from the Driver Fitness Register (FAER)

General documents

• Vehicle list, including rental vehicles with rental agreement or leasing list, if applicable
• Proof of liability insurance for taxis, including risk index (WKZ)
• Business registration
• For partnerships, the list of partners, the partnership agreement, or other proof of contractual authority
• Certified extract from the commercial register

The amount of the fees depends on:

• the number of vehicles and
• the duration of the permit.

Cash/EC

• Forms available: Yes
• Written form required: Yes
• Informal application possible: No
• Personal appearance required: No
• Online service available: No